Ossett Albion 2 - 2 Clitheroe FC

Haworth's first game in charge ends with a solid away draw.

An away trip to Albion would never have struck much fear into any hearts in seasons gone by, but with the home team registering their best ever finish in 15-16 and much of the team still in place, this looked like a stern test for the new manager and his charges.

In terms of the overall game, the home team dominated the first and last 15 minutes of the game, with the Blues bossing the rest. On 17 minutes, a great through ball from Brad Carroll just failed to unlock the home defence. Four minutes later, Michael Hampson tried to cushion a long ball on the edge of his own box, but as the ball sprang free he clattered into the home forward who had just released his shot, which hit the post. The home pressure went up a notch, but Gareth Roberts was in e thick of the action, mopping up as he went. On 27 minutes, Danny Brady marauded down the left and curled his shot into the keeper's hands. One minute later, the Blues were ahead. Kurt Willoughby received the ball on the left had corner of the box, and his spin and shot was unstoppable. clitheroe were turning up the heat, and on 39 minutes a great Walker-Newby combination just broke down in the box. However, with one minute of the half, the Blues should have doubled their lead, when a near post corner from Tuanzebe was met on the full by Carroll, but the header was blocked on the line.

The second half started in similar fashion, on on 48 minutes, Tuanzebe beat the keeper to a bouncing ball, he in turn fed Willoughby whose lob was underpowered. Ossett were now kicking with the wind and Bordman should have scored when Stirzaker controlled a ball on the byeline and was robbed by the prolific striker. He shimmied inside but his shot was blocked and stalled on the line. On 62 minutes, a gentle throw in back to the keeper saw it bounce over the keeper's foot, leaving a startled Tuanzebe to bundle it home. At this point the balance of play shifted. On 69 minutes, a deep punt was not cleared, and Stirzaker fed the ball across the box, for it to be de patched by a home player. On 83 minutes, Hession found himself one on one with the keeper after charging the ball down, but he could not find the finish. On 84 minutes, a dubious free kick was awarded to Albion just inside the Clitheroe half. The resultant 40 yard free kick was unstoppable, and the sides were level. In the last five minutes, Albion were awarded two free kicks in dangerous areas, but the Blues held out for a fully deserved point.